Koh petitioning for recount of 3rd district congressional result

Friday

Sep 7, 2018 at 12:05 PMSep 7, 2018 at 12:05 PM

Dan Koh’s campaign announced Friday morning that it would be petitioning for a recount of the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District election.

“The closeness of the initial results - 52 votes out of 85,000 cast - and significant changes in vote counts in some communities over the last couple of days have made it clear that a recount is necessary to ensure every vote is counted,” Koh’s statement read. “That is why we will be filing for a recount later today.”

Koh has until 5 p.m. today to file 500 signatures to trigger a recount.

His campaign said on Twitter that it was gathering volunteers at his campaign offices in Andover and Haverhill to collect signatures ahead of today's deadline.

Trahan has declared victory and her campaign announced that her focus is now on the general election.

Still, her campaign staffers are also collecting signatures to prepare for any situation given her slim lead.

If Koh’s campaign meets the 5 p.m. deadline, each campaign will be given a three-day notice that a recount will be happening, according to Debra O’Malley, spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office.

O’Malley added that campaigns are permitted to have representatives observing each of the election workers involved in the recount process to ensure accurate results.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Koh’s campaign said its goal is to ensure every vote was counted properly, but if Trahan is named the winner “Dan will offer his enthusiastic support for her in the general election.”